The Joint Innovation Centre of BAS, together with the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) organised the “Science for Business” forum. This year’s edition was the fourth in a row, becoming a traditional and awaited event for all participants.
On June 11, 2024, at the Inter Expo Centre, the Institutes of the Academy presented to the full Vitosha hall 16 scientific and applied technologies, along with five examples of successful cooperation between leading scientists and research companies.
The event was opened by the official deputy minister of innovation and growth Prof. Georgi Angelov and the official deputy minister of education and science Academician Nikolay Vitanov, by the executive director of BSMEPA Dr. Boyko Takov and by the chairman of the BAS Academician Julian Revalski. Scientists and their innovative capacity must be used in order for Bulgaria to have a strong and competitive economy, said the chairman of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Julian Revalski. He added than that such initiatives shorten the distance between business and scientific research. According to the executive director of AEPSME, Dr. Boyko Takov, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences can fulfil the role of a development centre for business in the country.
Among the innovations shown were a sensor pipette, nitrogen fertilizer with reduced fertilizer loss, glassy carbon coatings on graphite materials, wear-resistant concrete, among others. The good cooperation practices shared by both the Academy scientists and the representatives of the innovation companies related to high-tech solutions such as a method for recycling of drug waste, the development of collagen extraction processes, an innovative solution for the assessment of water pollution environment with microplastics, etc.
During the forum, stands with products and prototypes of 11 institutes and units of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences were located in the expo area. An opportunity for bilateral meetings between scientists and businesses was also foreseen.
The event was attended by more than 200 participants, including representatives of diplomatic missions and trade attachés in the country. Throughout the day, the visitors had the opportunity to personally ask the leading researchers from the Academy their questions, to learn about the possibilities for joint projects between BAS institutes and business, as well as to strengthen their trust in cooperation with Bulgarian scientists. The fourth edition of the “Science for Business” forum was part of the program to celebrate the 155th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
